Proper diet and nutrition can bolster your dog’s immune system, increase his level of energy, contribute to a healthy coat of fur, and counter act the effects of stress on your dog.
Good nutrition can also reduce or eliminate problems that may be dietary or physical but are mistaken for stress-related problems.
For example, lowering the protein intake of overly aggressive dogs can make them calmer and less aggressive. Dry, itchy skin can be either a stress-related problem or a dietary problem. Sometimes just adding a tablespoon of olive oil or flaxseed oil in your dog’s food can reduce skin dryness.
Dogs are usually easy to feed. Like human beings, dogs are opportunistic omnivores. This means they will try nearly everything that seems edible. However, there are some foods that owners should avoid giving dogs such as:
chocolate, coffee and coffee beans
macadamia nuts
grapes and raisins
alcohol
avocados
onions, chives, garlic
milk and dairy products
yeast dough
raw and undercooked meats, bones, and eggs
products containing xylitol
Dogs have a sweet tooth which can be helpful if you are trying to add flavor without adding a lot of calories. Dogs love to eat apples. Try feeding an apple to your dog but remember to toss the core away, as the seeds are toxic. Dogs enjoy carrots too, which are loaded with vitamins.
If your dog doesn’t like healthy snacks and doesn’t seem to be eating a proper diet, ask your vet about nutritional supplements.
Dogs have a sweet tooth which can be helpful if you are trying to add flavor without adding a lot of calories. Dogs love to eat apples. Try feeding an apple to your dog but remember to toss the core away, as the seeds are toxic. Dogs enjoy carrots too, which are loaded with vitamins.